Work handling mechanism



WORK HANDLING MECHANISM Filed June 26, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS. W\LLIAM EGROENE WALTER KNETER LBLQQMAQ- W ATTORNEY.

July 15, 1941.

w. F. GROENE EI'AL WORK HANDLING MECHANISM Filed June 25, '1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS. WILLIAM F.GROENE I WALTER RMEY ATTORNEY.

July 15, 1941. w. F. GROENE EI'AL WORK HANDLING MECHANISM Filed June 26, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet 5 July 15, 1941. w. F. GROENE ETAL 2,249,241

' woax HANDLING MECHANISM Filed June 26, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG .11:

} July 15, 1941.

w. F, GROENE ETAL WORK HANDLING MECHANISM Filed June 26, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS. HAM F. GROENE LTER R.METER ATTORNEY.

Patented July 15, 1941 William F. Groene and Walter RsMeyer, Cincinnati,.0hio, assignorstoThe It. K,'LeBlon'd Machine Tool Company, corporation of Delaware Cincinnati, Ohio, a

Application June 26, 1940, Serial No. 342,554 29 Claims. (01. 82-1) This invention pertains to loading and 'unload ing of work in machine tools and is particularly related to crankshaft lathes of the center drive type of a character shown in Patent 2,069,107

dated January 26, 1937, in which the crankshaft to be machined is chucked and rotated'by means of one or more center drive chucks and has its ends supported by centers While cutting tools operate on the various bearing portions of said crankshaft.

Heretofore in lathes of this character it has always been a major difliculty to provide proper means to load and unload the crankshaft into the center drive chucks. One difficulty has been that caused by the tailstock each side of thecenter drive chucks which prevented the insertion and removal of the work in the centerdrive chuck on the axis of rotation of the chuck and crankshaft. In order to avoid moving the'tailstocks it was found necessary to make the center drive gears relatively large in diameter, in 'fact so large as to make the machine difficult tooperate as these large center drive gears necessitated large housings which projected outwardly tolthe front of the machineand interfered with the operators access to the cutting tools and chucking mechanism in the ring gears. v In fact these ring gears became so large in instances where loading devices were used that it was practically impossible for the operator to get at certain of the tools, for example the cutting-tools 22 cm the tool bar l9, and also difficulty was found in gaining access to the various clamping devices in the ring gear chucks. Another defect of the largering gears was'the difficulty in presenting the tools to the work from such afar removed prevent putting the tool supporting devices sufliciently close to the work piece beingmachined for proper stability of the tools. This large ring gear construction also'presented much greater members andto raise it again after;- maohining "of the crankshaft before it was removed outwardly from the ring gear chuck. This resulted in' considerable effort on the part of theoperator especially .when'it was done manually. This also required considerable carefulness of operation on the part of the operator. "devices were used, which loading deviceswere necessarily of elaborate construction to effect There, loading these'various movements mechanically, the operator had to carefully actuate them in their proper sequence. 1 I I In instances where the tailstockshave' been moved in the past the work was invariably loaded manually or by'use of the usual cable and hook crane. -Such loading and unloading was particularly "difficult in instances where more than. one center drive chuck was used because of the inability to properly hold the crankshaft when The relatively large to permit the crank to be loaded manually without striking the chucking mechanism, and also, the cutting tools had to be Withdrawn a relatively great distance from, theaxis of rotation of the chuck so that they ,wouldnot be struck by the crankshaft when so-loaded.

This method obviously was very cumbersome and extremely difiicult forthe operator. to perform consuming: considerable time and'energy on his part .Another' defect of the above method was "that there was no accurate way of guidingrthe 1 crankshaft into and out of the chucking'devices independent of the'skill and position when the ring gears were so large as to efi'ort exerted on the part of'the operator. l '1 g p y In" instances where. the former type loading devices were used it was found thatconsiderable effort was required on the part of the operator to roll the various loading cranes with the work hanging thereon into and out of thechuckingdeactuating the former loadingdevices in a definite sequential manner and in practically eliminating 7 fall=costlyloading devices. e

. Furthermore with these former methods 'in clu'ding'the former type loading devices, it was 'im'possible to simultaneously load'andfunload the I crankshafts from the chucks. 'It wasnecessary vices commensurate with the high production=required of these machines. 'With the'struoture here developed, this former effortwas substanandskill necessary on the part of the operator in fi'rst to remove the finished work piece before a rough work piece was again loaded in .the chuck 1 whereas with the present method Weare n'QW'abIe to simultaneously eject the completed crankshaft from the center drive chuck while loading an unmachined shaft therein. And furthermore in the former devices particularly where one device is utilized for loading and another for unloading of the work, it was necessary for the operator to move from one side of the machine to the other for operating the respective cranes which, of course, consumed time and effort on the part of the operator and cut down the productive output of the machine.

With these former difliculties clearly in mind, it is therefore an object of our invention to provide means for easily loading .and unloading crankshafts in a center drive lathe on the axis of rotation of the center drive chucking devices and to provide means for ejecting said crankshafts from the chucking devices with a minimum of effort on the part of the operator.

Another object of our invention is to provide in a centerdrive lathe chucking devices adapted -to=.engages a crankshaft by means -.of its rough :irregulanwebs and to provide in conjunction with said chucking devices .means, associated --withthe toolbars and tailstocks of said lathe, .comprising .a substantially continuous trough passing'through the .center. vdrive chucks and past each of said tailstocks .toform a substantially -continuous .troughzupon-which may beaxially slid the crankshafts .upon' their rough webs forfloading into and ejection from said center drive chucking tdevices.

Anotherobjectof ouriinventionis to provide in =a-center drive lathe meansfor supporting and rotating a crankshaft in .thecenter drive chucks and=means for stopping .said centerdrivechucks at the completion of the icuttingcycle at a-predetermined indexed :position relative to a loading and unloading arrangement comprising a trough "forming a substantially continuous :path from one endofthe machinethrough the eenterdrive 'chucks to theother end of thexmachine for loading and *unloading crankshafts in :said center drive lathe.

Anotherobject of our invention is to provide in-a' center drive lathe'having one or more center drive chucks andtailstocks each sideof said cenfter-drive chucks,.means for moving ,said tailstocksradially of the axis of rotation of said chucks and to provide means on each of saidtailstocks comprising a loading and unloading trough, and means foractuating said tailstocks radially for presenting either their centers or the loading and unloading troughs in alignment with'saidchucking devices sothat workmay be supported-at the ends or may be loaded or uniloaded'from-said chuckingdevices when the centers 'of saidtailstocks are withdrawn radially -from -alig-nedlposition with the center drive chucks.

fiItxis also anobjectof our invention'to provide inalcenter drive lathe one or more .center drive *chucksand associated tailstocks each side of said center idrive .chucks; both of said tailstocks being mova;ble radially ofithe. axis of rotation of the their work engaging position so that work may s :be loaded -and unloaded from said center drive chucking devices by axially sliding said work 'zwithiits :axissubstantially coinciding with the Laxistofirotation ofsaid chuck. v

Audit is also :an Object of our invention to provide means for automatically moving the tailstock of a center drive lathe to present a loading trough in alignment with the center drive chucking devices at the completion of the machining 5 operation and to present its work supporting center in alignment with the chucking devices during the cutting operation.

Further objects and advantages of our invention will appear from the detailed description of the drawings in which:

Figure I is a right hand end elevation of a double center drive crankshaft lathe showing one of the movable tailstocks with loading and unloading troughs and the associated center drive chucking. device.

Figure II is a vertical transverse section through the lathe of Figure I on the line II-IIV of Figure III particularly showing the trough blocks .on the tool bars and the construction of the center drive chucking devices associated with theseblocks.

:Figure III is .a vertical section substantially on the line IIIIII of Figure I particularly showvingthe loading and unloading troughs on the "tailstocks, the trough blocks on the tool bars and the grippingblocks inthecenter drive chucking devices.

Figure IV is .a-diagrammatic layout showing the relation of the various parts in the power transmission and driving motor for rotating-the center drive ring gears of the lathe.

Figure-V is a circuit and operating diagram showing the arrangement used when operatinga tailstock with an unloadingtrough and a load- 5 mg trough.

'inrelation to the loading and unloading trough .mechanism.

{Figure VIII is adiagrammatic showing of the loading and unloading arrangement provided with one tailstock fixed and one movable, a fin- -ished;work piece being shown in the chucking devices -just at the completion of the machining operationi'and an unfinished work piece placed onthe loading trough ofithe movable tailstock.

:Figure IX-is a diagrammatic showing similar to Figure VIII, but showing the movable tailstock position for moving finished-work pieces I from ;the chucking devices, the finished work piece being shown on the unloading trough and the-unfinished work being shown on the loading wtrough. Figure X is a diagrammatic showing similar to Figure VIII showing the movable tailstock positioned for inserting unfinished work pieces into .thechucking devices, the unfinished work piece 'having-been just loaded from the loading trough to the chucking 'devices and the finished work wpiece'on the loading troughready for removal fromthe lathe. 4 Figure XI'is a diagrammatic showing of the ..-loading and unloading arrangement provided with both tailstocks movable, thefinished work piecebeingshown in the chucking devices just 1 at the completion of the machining operation and, an unfinishedwork piece placed on the load- .ing trough of the right hand movable tailstock.

'75; F-igure XIIzis a diagrammatic showing similar 2,249,241 to. Figure XI, showing the tailstocks moved to loading and unloading position, with the unfinished work piece positioned ready for movement into the chucking devices and for ejecting the finished work piece therefrom.

Figure XIII is a diagrammatic showing similar to Figure XI, showing the position ofthe work pieces after the unfinished work piece has been inserted in the chucking devices.

The machine comprises a base I upon which are mounted the center drive chuck units 2 and 3 and the associated tool units 4, 5, and 6 in a "manner as shown in Patent 2,069,107 dated 'January 26, 1937. In each of the center drive units 2 and 3 are rotatably mounted the center drive ring gears I on suitable anti-friction bearings 8 which gears are driven through idler gears 9 rotatably mounted on appropriate bearings in the center drive units by pinions l fixed on a drive shaft ll journaled on appropriate'bearings in the On the right hand side of the tool unit 6 is mounted the multiple V-belt driving pulley l which is adapted to be driven by a suitable electric motor 16 which has a driving pulley l1 fixed on its shaft 62 and is connected to the pulley by suitable V-belts l8.

In the tool units 4, 5, and 6 are slidably mounted the upper tool bars l9 and the lower tool bars 29. On the upper tool bars l9 are mounted the various cutting tools 2|, 22, and 23 and on the lower tool bars 26 are mounted the cutting tools 24, 25, and 26, all of these toolsbeing adapted to completely machine all of the line bearing portions 21, 28, and 29 and the flange end 30 and stub end 3| portions of a crankshaft W.

In each of the center drive ring gears 1 is provided chucking mechanism adapted to engage the crankshaft W to serve as the means for supporting and rotating said crankshaft in mounted the work engaging blocks 36 having the arcuate abutment surfaces 31 and 38 adapted to engage the rough periphery surfaces 43 of the webs 44 of the crankshaft W. Substantially di-- ametrically opposite said blocks 36 on the other W in the lathe the center drive ring gears I are preferably brought to a stop at a definite predetermined indexed position thou h this is not essential in instances where peripheral clamping surfaces are used on the crankshaft'webs, since the work can be loaded or unloaded with equal facility when in any circularorien'ted posi tion on the troughs in the chucking devices. The accurate stopping; however, is desirable to facilitate the operation of 'the clamping means'in V the chuck and is accomplished by-the hydraulic braking motor 52 attached to the shaft 62 of the main driving motor I6 and the indexing plunger 53 which engages in the indexing disc'54 fixedt'o the gear l2 in a mann'er'for example as fully disclosed and claimed in 'co-pending application Serial Number 209,026 filed May 20, 1938. This center drive ring gear stopping and positioning apparatus is best shown in Figure IV and VII. The supply of fluid pressurefor this hydraulic I control system may be derived from the hydraulic side of the axis 35a are arranged the work engaging blocks 39' in a clamp 49 and having the arcuate abutment, surfaces 4| and 42 also adapted to engage the peripheral surfaces'43 of the" crankshaft W. In order to properly bind the crankshaft W between these abutment blocks 36 and 39, the clamp 46, whichis pivotally mounted in a socket 45 formed in the cartridge 32, isproward the crankshaft W. A spring urged plunger bearing against thesurface 5'! of the cartridge 32. provides means for automatically raising the clamp 40 from the work when the eccentric is loosened. j

When loading andunloading thecrankshafts fluid pressure'pump driven byan electric motor 56 which draws fluid through the suction line 51 from the fluid reservoir 58 and delivers-the fluid under pressure through the pressure line 59. Drainage from a relief valve in the pump 55 for maintaining pressure in the line 59 is exhausted through the line 60 into the drain line 6l'which returns fluid to the reservoir 58.

In the operation of" the lathe when the main drive motor 16 is operating driving the center drivegears 1 during the cutting operation; the hydraulic braking motor 52'is also'being driven bythe motor shaft 62. Under these conditions fluid is discharged from the exhaust port 63 of the braking motor 52 through the lines 64 and 65, passes freely through the relief valve 66, through the line 61, the solenoid operated control valve 68, which is normally spring set in neutral position at this time, into the line 69, and then through the line back to the intake port I! of the braking motor 52 to form a closed cire cuit for free circulation of fluid at large volume when the electric motor I6 is running at full speed offering no resistance to the rotation'of the braking motor 52.. Fluid from thisclosed circuit may not escape through lines 12 and 13 because of the check valve 14 whichonly permits flow of fluid from the line 15 to the line 13. Nor may fluid escape through the line 16 from line 72 since this latter line is at all times c'losedo'ff at the-control valve-and serves only to supply fluid pressure for opening the valve TI to' connect line !8 to the drain line 6|, which connection is normally cut off by the spring set arrangement in the valve when the pressure drops in the line I6.

High pressure is maintained in the closed cir- -culating circuit by pressure received from the pressure line 59 which passes through thespeed control valve which in turn discharges the high pressure fluid into the line 86 connected tosaid circuit at a definite relativelysmall volume-for at all times maintaining the high 5 pressure: in the circuit andto make up for any leakage from said 7 circuit. This dischargefrom theval've 119 is also utilized to rotate the hydraulicbrakin'g motor-:52

- at -a definite slow speed: for driving the electric motor I8 and the center drive ring gears 1 at slow-speed 'preparatory tostopping said: gears or when jogging them as Willbe described. 'The relief valve 66, while it at all timesallows free'flow.

' between the lines 65 'an d--6'l; is so set at a pressure 'hi'gher than that of the relief valvein the pump 55, or in other words than the pressure infthe closed circuit, that fluid does not escape under into the drain line 6 I Immediately upon disconnecting the electrical power from the motor'l6 the limit switch LSI associated withthe dog 83 on one of the ring gears I becomes effective through the usual relays and contactors (not shown) when engaged by said dog 83 to cause the solenoidB of the control valve 68 to be energized, operating the valve 68 so as toclose off the line 69.and to connect line This causes the pressure to drop to substantially zero in the lines I0, I2, I3, and because the intake volume through the port 'II of the'braking motor 52, which is being driven at a high rate of speed by the momentum of the-electric motor I6 and the associated driving transmission for the center drive gears I, is far in excess of that which can be supplied by the valve 19 through the line-89. Dropping the pressure in the line I6 causes the valve 11 to operate by its spring to close off the line I8 thus preventing fluid from passing through the line 81. Extremely high pressure is momentarily built up in lines 64 and 65 until the momentum in the electric motor and spindle transmission is absorbed by bypassing fluid through the high pressure relief valve 56 into the line BI. The discharge through the line 8| passes through the line 15, through the check valve I4, and into the line-13 dueto the suction action setup in the lines '13, I2, and III by the rapid intake of the hydraulic braking motor 52. The check valve '82, which is arranged to prevent flowfrom the drain line 6| to line I5, maintains the suction actionthrough the check valve I4.

The hydraulic braking motor 52 will continue to decelerate inbypassing fluid through the valve 66 until it hasslowed down to a point where the volume taken into the intake port 'II is equal to that being supplied throughthe line 89 from the valve "I9. The valve 66 is so set as to effect the deceleration to this pointby the time the Work spindle has made about .a half revolution of the work spindle or ring gears 1. After the hydraulic braking motor 52 has decelerated to the above point'pressure again: builds up in-the lines 10, I2,

-'I3, and I6 and the brakingmotor 52 is driven-at a relatively slow speed for 'similarly rotating the work spindleby fluid fromthe line 80. Building up pressure in the line I6 again opens the valve 11 connecting line-18 to the drain line 6 I, allowing free flow of fluid th-rough line 61 thuseliminating allback pressure at the exhaust port 63 of the braking motor-52 Which-would hinder the operation of saidmotor 52 at the predetermined slow speed.

As soon asthe limit switch LSI is operated the limit switch LS- 2 isthen rendered in a condition to be effective when operated. The limit switch LS2 is operated whenthe dog 84 carried on one of the ring gears I engages it asthe work spindle is rotated at the predetermined slow speed by the hydraulic braking motor 52. Operation of the limit switch LSrZthrough appropriate relays and contactors (not shown), causesthe solenoid C of the control valve-8I-to be energized to operate" the valve 81 :so as to connect the fluid pressure line'59 to the linez1B8 to cause the indexing plunger 53 connected to the piston 89 in the disc-'54 ;is in position forengagement by the indexingplunger 53. Thus theplunger .53 bears limit switch LS2 has-operated, the plunger jumping into the slot as the spindle transmission is rotated at slow speed. by the braking motor 52 to instantly arrest rotation of the ring gears I and stop them in accurate predetermined indexed position.

The solenoid D of the valve 81 is adapted to be energized to connect the pressure line 59 to the line 9| and line 88 to thedrain line 6| for withdrawing the indexing plunger 53 from the indexing disc 54 wheneverthe main driving motor I6 is energized. In order to prevent damage to the machine in the event the indexing plunger 53 would be insertedin the-disc 54 before the spindle transmission had completely decelerated to the slow speed, a pressure controlled limit switch LS3 is connected in 'serieswith the limit switch LS2 and is operatedby pressure in the lines 64 and 65 through its connecting line 92 so as to render the limit switch LS2 inoperative so long as there is pressure in the lines 64 and 65 during deceleration of the lathe transmission, the pressure'dropping to substantially zero in these lines to allow the limit switch LS--3 and LSZ to operate only when the braking motor 52 has completely decelerated and is being driven at the predetermined slow speed from the hy draulic pump 55 as described. 1

On each of the tool bars 20 are mounted the trough blocks 93, 94, and 95 by suitable bolts 96 passing through clearance hole 91 in said blocks and threaded in the tool bars. These blocks have arcuate guide surfaces 98 which are arranged to be in alignment with the respective surfaces 31 and '38 of the blocks 36 in the ring gears I when the ring gears are stopped in indexed position and the'tool bars I 9 andi'29 are in fully retracted position. Any variation of the retracted position of the tool bars 29 in setting the cutting tools 24, 25, and 26 for properly sizing the work may be compensated for by loosening the bolts 96 and moving the blocks 93, 94, and 95 on the tool bar '20 to bring theirsurfaces 98 in proper chucks.

On the base I of the lathe each side of'the center drive chuck units and tool units are mounted the automatically operated tailstocks I90 and IUI. Since the construction and operation of these tailstocks is substantially alike, a description of the one tailstock IOI will suffice for both. Noting particularly Figures I and III, the tailstock IOI is slidably mounted on dovetail .guideways I02 on the support I03 fixed on the base I by bolts I04 for movement perpendicularto the axis of rotation of the center drive ring gears 1. A hydraulic cylinder I05mounted in a bracket I96 fixed to the base I having its piston I01 and associated pistonrod I08 connected to the tailstock I9I serves to reciprocate the tail.- stock IIH on the dovetail guideways I02. Mounted in the tailstockllll is the tailstock barmovelparallel withtheaxis of rotation35a of the V centerdrive gear I. This barrel I99 isaxially reciprocated by a pinion .I I I engaginga'rack II2 formed-on-the barrel and fixed on a rockshaft Il3 journaled against axial movement in appropriate bearings H4 in the tailstock IIII. The

outwardly projecting portion of the rock shaft I I3 has splines I I5 which slidingly engage in the splined bore of the pinion I I6 journaled against axial movement in the bracket I06. Mounted on the bracket I06 is a hydraulic cylinder II1 having a piston I I8 and an associated piston rod H9 having rack teeth formed thereon engaging the pinion II6 whereby fluidpressure actuation of the cylinder II'I effects movement of the tail stock barrel I09. In connection with this barrel I09 is a clamp II 8a for locking the barrel in position when its center I I is engaged with the end of the crankshaft W. This clamp II 8a is pivotally mounted on a pin II9a fixed in the tailstock and extends over the barrel I09 with an arcuate bearing surface I20 slidingly engaging said barrel when unclamped. To the opposite side of the barrel I09 from the pin M911 is attached the tension bolts I2I which have squared heads I22 slidingly engagingappropriate slots I23 in the clamping plate I24 (for movement with the tailstock IOI) pivotally mounted ona pin I25 fixed in the support I03. Adjusting nuts I26 on the bolts I2I provide means for properly adjusting the clamping force of the clamp IIBa against the barrel I09. A hydraulically actuated plunger I21 connected to the piston I in the cylinder I29 formed in the support I03 serves to actuate the clamp plate I24 and the bolts I2I to effect clamping of the tailstock barrel by the clamp II8a. V 1

Mounted on the tailstock IOI and movable therewith are loading and unloading troughs I30 and I3I having the arcuate Work supporting surfaces I 32 adapted to receive crankshaft W. By moving the tailstock by appropriately actuating the cylinder I05 as will be described, the tailstock barrel and its center may be positioned coaxial with or removed from the axis 35a of said center drive chucks and one or the other of the troughs I30 and I3I may be positioned so as to be in alignment with the chucks and the trough blocks 93, 94, and 95 on the tool bars 20 when the chucks are stopped. When so positioned either of the troughs I30 or I3I and the blocks in the chucks and on the tool bars form a substantially continuous arcuate trough from the tailstocks past the cutting tools and through the center drive chucks upon which work crankshafts W may be slid axially into and out of loading position in the chucking devices of the lathe. To load a crankshaft W in the lathe it is merely necessary to place the crankshaft in one of the properly positioned troughs I30 or I3I and push the crankshaft axially into the center drive chucks and tighten the clamping eccentrics 46, no other manipulations being necessary before starting the cutting operation. At the completion of the cutting operation the clamping eccentrics 46 are loosened and the crankshaft W slid axially out on one of the properly aligned troughs I30 or I3I There are various methods of operating this loading and unloading arrangement. One method would be to at all times have the tailstock I00 and its center I I 0 fixed and to insert and remove the crankshaft W from the right hand side of the machine. In conjunction with this arrangement either one loading trough I30 or both loading troughs I30 and I3I may be utilized in connection with the tailstock I0l. When a single trough I30 is used the rough crankshafts W are placed on the trough and loaded into the chuck and the finished cr-ankshafts are slid out on the same trough and removed therefrom. This is a very satisfactory arrangement where the maximum saving in loading and unloading time is off-set by the lesser amount of equipment required in this arrangement. Where further savings are desired in the loading and unloading time when loading from one sideonly of the machine -two loading troughs I30 and I3I are provided on the tailstock IOI upon one of which is placed the rough crankshafts W and the other to receive finished crankshafts W as they come out of the center drive chucks; Thus in this set up the rough crankshafts can be placed on one trough I3I and finished crankshafts removed from the other trough I30 while the machine is going through its cutting'cycle.

Still another way of operating this arrangement is to have both tailstocks I00 and IOI movable and to provide a loading trough for each tailstock. In this instance the trough I30 of the tailstock I00 received the finished crankshafts while the rough crankshafts are placed on the trough I30. A unique feature in connection with this set up is that the operator may remain at one side of the machine while loading crankshafts in the lathe, it being unnecessary for him to go to the other side of the machine to unload the finished work. In operation both tailstocks withdraw from work holding position when the cutting cycle has been completed bringing their respective loading troughs I30 in alignment with the chucks. The rough crankshaft W, which has previously been placed inthe trough I 30, for example of tailstock IOI, is pushed axially to the left engaging the finished crankshaft 1ying unchucked in the center drive gears I whereby the finished crankshaft is ejected out of the gears and onto the trough I 30 of the tailstock I00 as the rough crankshaft is brought into chucking position. The trough I30 on the tailstock I00 may be so constructed that as further crankshafts are passed into, machined, and ejected from the machine the finished crankshafts will automatically drop from this trough onto a suitable conveyor to be carried thereby to subsequent operations to be performed on the crankshafts. Thus with this method of operation the operator need only load rough crankshafts into the chucks and operate the clamping mechanism in the chucks. The number of times the operator must handle the cr-ankshafts per given output of the machine is thus enormously reduced and it is also found that much less eifort is required to simultaneously slide two crankshafts in this loading and unloading arrangement than is required to operate a pair of loading devices as shown in Patent 2,069,107 dated January 26, 1937.

The operation and control mechanism for actuating the tailstock with one loading and unloading rail is shown in Figure VI. The control lever I34 for effecting the various sequentialoperations of the tailstock I00 or IOI has a shaft I35 upon which are mounted suitable actuating cams I36 and I 3l'for effecting operation of the control valves I 38 and I39 as will be described. When the control lever I34 is in the clamp position valve I38 is so actuated by the cam I30 that fluid pressure from the pump 55 passes through line I40, the valve I38, through line MI, and into the head end of the cylinder I29 to force its piston I28 and rod I2I against the clamping plate I24 to clamp the barrel I09- in the tailstock IOI when in' work engaging position. Drainage from the rod end of the cylinder under these conditions returns through line I42, the valve I 38 and into the drain line 6| to the reservoir 58.

After the work W has been machined the conthe'tailstock IOI, drainage from the head end of the cylinder I29 under these conditions returning through line I4l, through the valve I38, into the drain line BI.

After 'having unclamped the tailstock barrel I09 the control lever I34 is then moved to load position whereuponfiuid pressure from the line I40 passes through the valve I39, the line I43, freely through the bypass valve I44, through the line I45 into the cylinder II1 to effectgwithdrawal of the barrel I09 from work engaging position, drainage from the cylinder II1 under these conditions passes through the lines I45, freely through the pressure reducing valve I41, the line I48, freely through the bypass valve I49 into the line I50, and through the valve I39 into the drain line BI After the cylinder I I1 has affected complete withdrawal of the barrel I09 and its piston and rod has stalled against a suitablestop, pressure builds up in the lines I43 and I45 causing fluid to bypass through the valve I44, through the line I5I into the head end of the cylinder "I05 moving its piston I01 and rod I08 to move the tailstock IOI and its barrel I09 from alignment with the axis of the center drive chucks and to bring the loading and unloading rail I39 into alignment with the center drive chucks. While the piston I01 is being so actuated fluid is being discharged from the cylinder I05 through the line I52, freely through the valve I49, through the line I50, the valve 39, and into the drain line 6|. After the piston I01 has completed this movement the machine is then in condition to unload the finished work piece and load a rough piece preparatory to beginning another cutting cycle.

When the rough work piece W has been loaded in the center drive chucks the control lever is moved'from the load position to the normal position whereupon fluid pressure from the line I40 passes through the line I50, freely through the valve I49, through the line I52 into the rod end of the cylinder I05 thus moving the tailstock IM and its barrel I09 into alignment with the axis of the center drive chucks. Under these conditions fluid is expelled from the head end of the cylinder I05 through the line I5I, freely to said aligned position the piston I01 stalled by, suitable abutment means, pressure builds up in the lines I52 and I50 discharging fluid through the valve I49 into line I48 and through the pressure reducing valve I41 is delivered into line I48 at a predetermined lower pressure for actuating the cylinder II1 to insert the center IIO of the barrel I09 in the tailstock IOI just 'the right pressure to engage'the work without distorting it. Discharge from the cylinder I I1 is carried by the line I45, freely through the valve I44, into the line I43 and through the valve I39 into the drain line I5I. The work is then clamped in the chucking devices and the control lever I34 moved to clamp position to secure the tailstock barrel I09 as described. In cases where both tailstocks I00 and IN are arranged to move, one of thetailstocks would be moved to work engaging position and its barrel clamped with its center engaging the work to properly axially positionsaid work in the lathe by providing means for acurately stopping the position of the barrel I09 of this tailstock I00'before it is clamped. The

tailstock IN is thenbrought to work engaging position as described.

I In instances where an unloading trough I and a loading trough I3I are utilized in'conjunction with the tailstock IOI an operating circuit as shown in Figure V is utilized. The method of clamping and unclamping the tailstock barrel I09 is the same as described-in Figure VI. The control lever I34 is providedwith an unload position as well as a load position as in Figure VI. When in the unload position the unloading rail I30 is aligned with the center drive chucks and when in the load position the rail I3I is aligned with the chucks. When the control lever I34 is in the unload position fluid pressure from the line I40 passes through the valve assembly I53 into the line I43, passing freely through the valve I44 into the line- I45 connected to the cylinder II1 to retract the barrel I09 from workengaging position at the completion of which movement fluid is bypassed through line I 5I into the'head end of the cylinder I95 moving its piston I01 and rod I08 to retract the tailstock from aligned position to the unloading position. During this movement fluid is discharged from the rod end of the cylinder I05 1 through the line I52, the valve I49, line I50, and

the valve assembly I53 into the drain line GI and also through the line I54 connected to an annular groove I55 formed midway the length of the bore of the cylinder I05 and connected through the valve assembly I53 with the drain line 6|; this annular groove I55 until it is exposed to connection with the head end chamber of the cylinder at which time pressure from the line I5I can escape through the line I54 thus allowing the piston to come to a stop to thus bring the unloading trough I30'in alignment with the center drive chucks.

When'the control lever I34 is moved to load position the valve assembly I53 is actuated to close off the line I54 to again build up pressure in the head end chamber of the cylinder I05 received from the line I5I to cause the piston 7 I01 to complete its stroke to bring the loading trough I3I in aligned position with said chucks.-

' After the Work has been appropriately loaded in the machine the control lever is moved to the normal position whereupon fluid pressure is delivered to the cylinders I05 and III and fluid exhausted therefrom in a manner as described in Figure VI, the line I54 being closed off and ineffective during this operation.

Having thus fully set forth anddescribed our invention what we claim and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

h m a lathe, one or more rotatable center drive chucks, means for rotating said chucks, means-forstopping said chucks, cutting tools associated withsaid chucks, tailstocks associated with saidchucks, having centers and loading and unloading troughs incorporated therein, and means for moving said tailstocks relative to said chucks for alternately presenting said centers and said troughs in alignment with said chucks.

2. In a lathe, one or more rotatable center drive chucks, 'means for rotating said chucks, means for stopping said chucks in a definite predetermined position, cutting tools associated with said chucks, tailstocks associated with said chucks having centers and loading andunloading;

The piston I01 continues to move past troughs incorporated therein, and means for moving said tailstocks relative to said chucks for presenting said centers in alignment with said chucks when said cutting tools are operating on a work piece in the chucks and for presenting said loading and unloading troughs in alignment with the chucks when said chucks are stopped for loading and unloading work from said chucks.

3. In alathe, a rotatable center drive chuck, means for rotating said chuck, means for stopping said chuck in a predetermined position, a tailstock associated with said chuck, a center and a loading and unloading trough incorporated in said tailstock, means for moving said tailstock relative to the axis of rotation of said chuck for alternately bringing said center or said trough in alignment with said chuck.

4. In a lathe, a rotatable center drive chuck, means for rotating said'chuck, means for stopping rotation of said chuck in a predetermined position, a tailstock associated with said chuck, a center, a loading trough, and an unloading trough incorporated in said tailstock, means for moving said tailstock relative to the axis of rotation of said chuck, for bringing either of said troughs or said center in alignment with said chuck.

5. In a lathe, a rotatable center drive chuck, means for rotating said chuck, means for stopping said chuck in a predetermined position, a tailstock each side of said chuck, a center and a loading trough incorporated in each of said tailstocks, means for moving said tailstocks relative to the axis of rotation of said chuck for alternately bringing said centers or said troughs in alignment with said chuck.

6. In a lathe, a rotatable center drive chuck,

means for rotating said chuck, means for stop ping said chuck in a predetermined position, a tailstock each side of said chuck, a loading and unloading trough associated with one of said tailstocks, and means for moving said last mentioned tailstock relative to the axis of rotation of said chuck for. alternately bringing its center or its trough in alignment with said chuck.

7. In a lathe, a rotatable center drive chuck, means for rotating said chuck, means for stopping said chuck in a predetermined position, a tailstock each side of said chuck, a loading trough, an unloading trough, and a center associated with one of said tailstocks, and means for moving said last mentioned tailstock relative to the axis of rotation of said chuck for alternately bringing either of its troughs or said center in alignment with said chuck.

8. Ina lathe, a rotatable center drive chuck, means for rotating said chuck, means for stopping said chuck in a predetermined position, work engaging surfaces in said chuck adapted to engage rough, irregular surfaces on a work piece to be machined in said lathe, a tailstock associated with said chuck, a center in said tailstock, a loading and unloading trough mounted on said tailstock, and means for moving said tailstock relative to said chuck for bringing said center in engagement with the end of said work piece in the chuck or one of said troughs in alignment with the work engaging surfaces in said chuck when stopped in said predetermined position.

9. In a lathe, a rotatable center drive chuck, means for rotating said chuck, means for stopping said chuck in a predetermined position, work engaging surfaces in said chuck adapted on said tool feeding devices adapted to bealigned with said work engaging surfaces in, said chuck when said chuck is stopped andsaid tool feeding devices are withdrawn fromv said work piece, said surfaces thus forming a substantially continuous trough through said, chuck andpast said tool feedingdevices in which may be axially slid said work piece onits roughirregular surfaces into ornoutof said chucking device. o, 7,

10. In a lathe, a rotatable center drive chuck, meansfor rotating saidchuck, means for stopping said chuck in a predetermined position, work engaging surfaces inasaid chuck adapted to engage rough, irregular surfacesron a work piece to be machined in said lathe, tool feeding devices associated with said chuck, surfaces on saidtool. feeding devicesadapted to be aligned with :said surfaces in said chuck when said chuck is stopped and said tool feeding devices are withdrawn from said work piece, tailstocks associated with said chuck and tool feeding devices, a center and a loading and unloading trough associated. with said tailstocks, and means for moving said tailstocks so as to bring said troughs in alignmentwith said surfaces of the chuck and tool feeding devices to form a substantially continuous trough through said chuck andpast said tool feeding devices and tailstocks in which may be axially slid said work piece on its rough irregular surfaces into and'out of said chucking devices. 0 r I 11. In alathe, a rotatable center drive chuck, means for rotating said chuck, means for stopping said chuck in a predetermined position, work engaging surfaces in said chuck adapted to engage rough, irregular surfaces on a work piece to be machined in said lathe, tailstocks associated With said chuck, surfaces on said tailstocks adapted to be aligned with said surfaces in said chuck when said chuck is stopped and the centers of saidtailstocks are removed from said work piece, said surfaces thus forming a substantially continuous troughthrough said chuck and past said tailstocks in which may be axially slid said work pieceon its rough, irregular surfaces into or out of said chucking device.

12. In a lathe, a rotatable center'drive chuck, means for rotating said chuck, means for stopping said chuck in a predetermined position, work engaging surfaces in said chuck adapted to engage rough irregular surfaces on a work piece to be machined in said lathe, tool slides operable each side of said chuck, cutting tools mounted on said slides, trough blocks mounted on said slides having surfaces adapted to be aligned with said surfaces in said chuck when said tools are retracted from said work piece and said chucks are stopped and means for adjusting said blocks relative to said tool slides.

13. In a lathe, a pair of rotatable center drive chucks, means for rotating said chucks in synchronism, means for stopping said chucks in a predetermined position, work engaging surfaces in said chucks adapted to engage rough irregular surfaces on a work piece to be machined in said lathe, tool slides operable each side of and between said chucks, cutting tools mounted on said slides, and trough blocks mounted on said slides having surfaces adapted to be aligned with said surfaces in said chucks when said tools are retracted from said work piece to thus form a to engage rough irregular surfaces-. onja work,

substantially continuous trough for guiding said work pieces into or out of said chucks and past.

said cutting tools.

' 14. In a lathe, .a tailstock movable relative to the spindle axis of said lathe, an axially movable center in said tailstock, means for clamping said center againstaxial movement when en-- ing and unloading trough associated with a.

chucking device of said machinetool adapted to engage rough irregular surfaces on said work pieces to be machined. so that saidwork pieces may be slid axiallyon said rough irregularsurfaces in saidloadingand.unloading. trough into or outof saidchucking device, and means in said chucking device for gripping said work piece by means of said rough irregular. surfaces thereon.

16. In a device for loading and unloading rough.

irregular work pieces in a machine tool, a. loading and unloading. trough. associated with a chucking device of. said machine tool adapted to engage rough irregular surfaces on said work pieces to ,be machined so. that said work pieces may be slid axially on said rough irregular surfaces in said loading and unloading trough into or out of said chucking device, means for positioning said chucking device in-a predetermined position relative to said trough, and means in said chucking device for gripping said work piece by means of said surfaces.

17. In a device for loading and unloading rough irregular work pieces in a center drive lathe, a loading and unloading trough associated with a chucking device of said lathe adapted to carry a work piece by means of its rough irregular surfaces so that said Work pieces may be moved axially on said roughsurfaces in said loading and unloading trough into or out of the center drive chucking device of said lathe, and means in said chucking device for gripping said work pieces by means of said rough irregular surfaces.

18. In a device for loading and unloading rough irregular work pieces in a center drive lathe, a loading trough associated with. a center drive chucking device of said new adapted to engage rough irregular surfaces on said work pieces to be machined, so that said work pieces may be moved axially on said surfaces in. said loadingtrough into the center drive chucking device, means in saidchucking device'for gripping said Work pieces by means of said rough irregular surfaces, an unloading trough associated with saidchucking device, adapted to engage the rough irregular surfaces of said work pieces when it is moved-out of said chucking device after the completion ofisaid machining.

19. In a device for loading and unloading rough irregular work pieces in a center drive lathe, a loading trough located to one side of a center drive chucking device of said lathe, adapted to engage rough irregular surfaces on said work pieces to be machinedso that said-work pieces may be moved'axially on said surfaces in said loading trough into said center drive chucking device, means in said chucking device for gripping said work pieces'by means of said surfaces,

and anunloading. trough located on the other;

sideaof said chucking: device adapted to engage the rough irregular surfaces on the work pieces when they are-moved out of said chucking device after the-completion of. said machining.

20. Ina loading andunloading mechanism for a center drive crankshaft lathe, a loadingtrough associated with acenter drive chucking device of said lathe adapted to engage rough irregular surfaces on webs of;a.crankshaft to be machined, so that said crankshaft may be moved axially on said surfaces in said loading trough into the center drive chucking device, means in said chucking device for gripping said crankshaft by means of said surfaces, and: an unloading trough associated with said chucking device adapted to engage said surfaces on the webs of saidv crankshaft when it is movedoutof said chucking deviceafter the-completionof said machining.

21. In a loadingvand unloadingmechanism for a; centerrdrive crankshaft lathe, a loadingtrough locatedto one side of .a center drive chuckingdevice of said lathe, adapted to engage rough irregular surfaces on websof a crankshaft to be machined; so that said crankshaft may be axially moved on said surfaces in said loading trough into the center drive chucking device, means in said chucking device for grippingsaid crankshaftby means'of said surfaces, and an unolading trough located at the other side of said chucking device adapted to engage said'rough irregular surfaces on the crankshaft when it ismoved out of said chucking device after the completion of said machining.

22. In a loading and unloading mechanism for a center drive crankshaft lathe, a loading trough arranged to be positioned in alignment with the center drive chuck of said lathe adapted to engage rough irregular surfaces of webs of a crankshaft. to be machined, so that said crankshaft may be moved axially on said surfaces in said loading trough into said chuck, means in said chucking device for gripping said crankshaft by means of saidsurfaces, and an unloading trough arranged to be positioned'in alignment with the center drive chuck to engage said rough irregular surfaces on the crankshaft when it is moved out of said chucking device, afterthe completion of said machining.

231 In a loading and unloading mechanism for a center drive crankshaft lathe, means for positioning a loading trough in alignment with a chucking device of said lathe, a crankshaft having rough irregularwebs adapted to be placed in said trough on said webs and moved into'said chucking. device, means in said chuckingdevice for. gripping said crankshaftby means of said rough irregular webs and means for positioning anunloading trough in alignment with said chucking device to receive said crankshaft when machined as it is ejected from said chucking device by moving further unmachined crankshafts' from said loading trough'into said chucking device.

24. In a. loading andunloading mechanism for a center drive crankshaft lathe, a center drive chuck having means adapted to grip a crankshaft by means of rough irregular surfaces thereon; and means for simultaneously removing a finished crankshaft and inserting a rough crankshaft in said chuck comprising means on one-sideof and aligned with said chuck for presenting an unfinished crankshaft by means of said rough irregular surfaces for movement into saidlchuck, and means von'the other side of and aligned with said chuck, to receive a fmished crankshaft as it is ejected from said chuck on said rough irregular surfaces by the movement. of unfinished crankshafts while engaged with said finished crankshafts in the chuck from said first mentioned means into said chuck.

25. In a loading and unloading mechanism for a center drive crankshaft lathe, a center drive chuck having means adapted to grip a crankshaft by means of rough irre ular surfaces thereon, means each side of said chuck and aligned with said grippin means of said chuck adapted to permit sliding of unmachined crankshaits axially of said chuck on said rough surfaces to engage finished crankshafts gripped in said chuck, said means permitting continued axial movement of said unfinished crankshafts into said chucking device for gripping said work piece.

27. In a device for loading and unloading work pieces in a chucking device of a machine tool ,a loading and unloading trough, as-

sociated with said chucking device, adapted to engage said work pieces to be machined so that they may be slid axially in said loading and unloading trough into or out of said chucking device, and means in said chucking device for gripping said Work piece.

28. In a loading and unloading mechanism for a chucking device of a center drive crankshaft lathe, a loading trough, located to one side of said center drive chucking device, adapted to engage webs of a crankshaft to be machined, so that said crankshaft'may be moved axially on said webs in said loading trough into said center drive chucking device, and means in said chucking device for gripping said crankshaft by means of its webs.

' 29. In a loading and unloading mechanism for a chucking device for a center drive crankshaft lathe, a loading trough, located to one side of said center drive chucking device, adapted to engage webs of a crankshaft to be machined, so that said crankshaft may be moved axially on said webs in said loading trough into said center drive chucking device, and means in said chucking device for gripping said crankshaft by means of its webs, and an unloading trough, located at the other side of said chucking device, adapted to engage said webs on the crankshaft when it is moved out of said chucking device after the completion of the machining operation.

WILLIAM F. GROENE. WALTER R. MEYER. 

